EU: We Check Condition Fulfillment for Each Growth Plan Payment

European Commission building (BETAPHOTO/EK/Lukasz Kobus)

The European Commission (EC) checks the fulfillment of conditions for each payment of financial assets from the European Union, which includes the Western Balkans Growth Plan, EC spokesman Guillaume Mercier stated on April 16, reiterating the concern over the recently adopted judicial laws and the deterioration of media freedom in Serbia.

Commenting on announcements that the EC could suspend the payment of EUR1.5 billion from the Growth Plan to Serbia due to democratic regression, Mercier stated at a news conference in Brussels that that the EC, as part of normal implementation, always assessed the fulfillment of conditions for various financial instruments, including the Growth Plan, and that every process of disbursement of funds was being checked.

“As for the situation in Serbia, as already stated, we are very concerned over the adoption of the set of judicial laws and we are carefully monitoring further steps. We continue to support Serbia on the EU path, but at the same time expect the authorities to honor democratic mechanisms, the rule of law and human rights,” Mercier said, adding that this included the implementation of the Venice Commission’s recommendations about the judicial laws, which is expected in the forthcoming weeks.

An expert in international politics and European affairs, Dusan Reljic, has assessed that the money from the Western Balkans Growth Plan was insignificant and that the suspension of payments would benefit the authorities. “I believe (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic would gain by that. Anyone who says: ‘I will defend you from these villains who pull you by the ear’ is a winner,” Reljic stated.